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Venues #9 in Tonbridge

Trinity Theatre

4.7 · 898 reviews
Intimate and historic with a vibrant community focus.
Trinity Theatre, Church Rd, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 1JP, United Kingdom
Interesting facts
1

The building was originally consecrated as the Holy Trinity Church in 1829.

2

Architect Decimus Burton, famous for his work at Kew Gardens, designed the structure.

3

The venue officially converted into an arts center in 1982 after the church was declared redundant.

4

The auditorium retains the original galleries from the church's architectural layout.

5

Trinity Theatre is a registered charity and relies on community funding and volunteers.

6

The venue was saved from demolition by a local campaign in the late 1970s.

7

It hosts an annual range of events including professional touring fringe theatre.

Overview

Trinity Theatre is a multi-purpose arts venue housed within a converted 19th-century Neo-Gothic church in Royal Tunbridge Wells. The theatre features a versatile auditorium that hosts professional touring plays, comedy acts, classical music concerts, and children's theatrical productions. The building was designed by architect Decimus Burton and retains its historical stained glass windows alongside modern performance equipment. It operates as a charity-run community hub, housing both an exhibition space and a cafe-bar. The venue serves as the primary cultural center for the town, integrating cinema screenings with live stage performances. Its interior layout maintains the original vaulted ceilings and structural acoustics of the former Holy Trinity Church.

Photo spot

The exterior front facade, which highlights the striking Neo-Gothic masonry and tall, arched church windows.

Insider tips

Book tickets for weekend performances well in advance as the venue is intimate and sells out quickly.

Arrive early to enjoy refreshments in the cafe-bar, which occupies the original chancel area.

Check the art gallery schedule in the lobby, which changes monthly to showcase local artists.

What to avoid

Do not expect a traditional velvet-curtain proscenium stage; the space is unconventional due to its ecclesiastical origins.

Good to know

Open daily for programming, but the gallery and cafe areas occasionally close between matinee and evening performances.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
2.5-3 hours
Best time to visit
Evenings for live theatre or Sunday afternoons for family-oriented children's shows.
Address
Trinity Theatre, Church Rd, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 1JP, United Kingdom
51.133, 0.262
Get directions
Details
Architectural StyleNeo-Gothic Revival
Venue TypeConverted ecclesiastical arts centre

Frequently asked

Plan for about 2.5-3 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Evenings for live theatre or Sunday afternoons for family-oriented children's shows..

The exterior front facade, which highlights the striking Neo-Gothic masonry and tall, arched church windows.

Close by you'll find Dunorlan Park, Assembly Hall Theatre, Spa Valley Railway - (Tunbridge Wells West Station).